hold all the aces

hold (all) the aces

To be in a position of power or control over someone or something due to having all the advantages or resources. Likened to having the best hand in a card game. He's bigger than me, and stronger, and faster—he just holds all the aces.
See also: ace, hold
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

hold all the aces

 and hold all the cards
to be in a favorable position; to be in a controlling position. (Alludes to having possession of all four aces or all the high cards in a card game.) How can I advance in my career when my competitor holds all the aces? If I held all the aces, I'd be able to do great things. I tried to get my points across, but Joan held all the cards and the board voted for her plan.
See also: ace, all, hold
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hold all the aces

Also, hold all the trumps. Be in a winning position, as in We can't argue with Jeff; he holds all the aces, or If Jean refuses, he'll reveal that he holds all the trumps and force her to give in. These expressions allude to card games in which the ace or a trump card outranks all the others. Also see play one's cards right; trump card.
See also: ace, all, hold
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

hold all the aces

If you hold all the aces, you have more advantages and more power than anyone else. When I was a teenager, I thought girls held all the aces. They hold all the aces; they are the champions and the best team in the country, and have a full-time manager. Note: In many card games, the ace is the card with the highest score.
See also: ace, all, hold
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

hold all the aces

have all the advantages.
See also: ace, all, hold
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

hold all the aces

tv. to be in control of everything. The boss holds all the aces on this deal.
See also: ace, all, hold
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • hold (all) the aces
  • loss of face
  • lousy with
  • lousy with (something)
  • lousy with someone/something
  • a load off (one's) mind
  • a load off mind
  • a load/weight off somebody's mind
  • a weight off (one's) mind
  • a weight off your mind
References in periodicals archive
Long term, they can bluster and bluff as much as they like, because we hold all the aces.
Don't panic over EU deal
PILASTER appears to hold all the aces as she returns to action in the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham.
Pilaster set to soar at Nottingham
KEITH WATSON last night warned Dundee United that Ross County still hold all the aces in the title race.
Watson tells Terrors that County don't scare easily
DOUBLE winners Dundalk hold all the aces on the shortlist for the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Personality of the Year award.
Lilywhites dominate nominations
Because Saturday night in Madison Square Gardens we hold all the Aces!" Conor was 4/5 favourite for the showdown by bookmakers Paddy Power last night.
Hands up who wants [euro]20m? McGregor to cash in after New York fight... win or lose
The second half, however, saw the home side hold all the Aces. Three maximums out of four followed the interval with only a maximum 7-2 to Birmingham after Millward and Winwood won with only one home finisher in the 11th.
Monarch just can't keep up with champs; CYCLE SPEEDWAY
David Hussey (40 not out) gave him company and ensured victory was achieved with hiccups.On this form, Chennai will hold all the aces in the upcoming knock-out games.
Chennai eliminate Mumbai, face Punjab
Those question marks and the imminent league hiatus make it worth siding with the form team, but although they hold all the aces, Fluminense are unlikely to inflict a heavy defeat.
In-form Fluminense can edge low-scoring clash
Having racked up a 2-0 lead at New Douglas Park in midweek, Hibs hold all the aces today.
BOTH SIDES TO NET WELL WORTH A BET
"It leaves affected buyers between a rock and a hard place while sellers hold all the aces.
Recent property buyers in Dubai caught between rock and hard place
London, Dec 26 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that Manchester United is the main team to beat in his club's bid to retain the title.he Italian admits the team managed by Sir Alex A[degrees]Ferguson hold all the aces going into the new year.
Manchester United is the main team to beat: Ancelotti
The airplane is king, as these past few desperate days will only confirm and, hole or no hole, the ozone layer will come second best in the foreseeable future, and passenger power and a fistful of travel cash will, as always, hold all the aces, when it comes to the crunch of getting from A to B.
So much for saving the planet; Your Shout
Over two legs they hold all the aces The Burscough board wanted a one-off and were at the meeting when the FA backed a request by Accrington Stanley for a two-legged final.
Football: Linnets left fuming by two-legged final; BURSCOUGH
But the Baggies have not won a league game in nine attempts and even though Birmingham have won just one league game at home this campaign, they still hold all the aces against Robbo's troops and are 4-5 for victory.
FOOTBALL: Back Blues for Brum double; GAME ON: ODDS ON: YOUR BEST GUIDE TO ALL THE WEEKEND'S BETTING ACTION
IRELAND hold all the aces among the hurdlers - and the king and queen of the pack clash at Navan today.
RACING: Eu belter, Solerina